Paying tribute to the memory of Staff Sergeant William F. Leonard, United States Army, upon the occasion of his posthumous designation as recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor

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Mar 11, 2014: ADOPTED

Mar 11, 2014: REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

Mar 5, 2014: REFERRED TO FINANCE

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LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the memory of Staff Sergeant
William F. Leonard, United States Army, upon the occasion of his posthu-
mous designation as recipient of the Medal of Honor
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Forces, who have served so valiantly and
honorably in wars in which our Nation's freedom was at stake, and during
which the United States proudly stood as a defender of liberty and human
dignity, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to the memory of Staff Sergeant William F. Leonard, United States
Army, upon the occasion of his posthumous designation as recipient of
the Medal of Honor; this meritorious honor will be presented at a White
House ceremony on Tuesday, March 18, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military medal bestowed by
the United States; it is awarded for valor in action against an enemy
force; and
WHEREAS, Pfc. William F. Leonard, of Lockport, New York, is being
recognized for his valorous actions during World War II while serving as
a squad leader with Company C, 30th Infantry, on November 7, 1944, near
St. Die, France; and
WHEREAS, On that fateful day, William F. Leonard's platoon was in the
middle of a vicious firefight with Nazi forces, and reduced to eight men
by blistering artillery, mortar, machine-gun, and rifle power; this
brave soldier and leader led the survivors in an assault over a tree-
and-shrub-covered hill, continuously swept by automatic fire; and
WHEREAS, William F. Leonard killed two snipers at ranges of 50 and 75
yards and, disregarding the bullets that pierced his back, he engaged
and destroyed a heavy machine gun with rifle grenades, killing its two-
man crew; and
WHEREAS, Although he was stunned by an exploding bazooka shell, he
continued his relentless advance to knock out a second machine-gun and
capture the roadblock objective; and
WHEREAS, William F. Leonard left the United States Army with the rank
of staff sergeant and, after his service, returned to Lockport where he
worked in the auto industry and as a butcher before retiring from work
at a radiator company; he died in 1985 at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, A truly valiant soldier, Staff Sergeant William F. Leonard
received the Distinguished Service Cross, which will be upgraded to the
Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle East-
ern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victo-
ry Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel
Button-World War II; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over this great
Nation, the land of the free and the home of the brave; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Staff Sergeant William F Leonard, United States Army, upon the
occasion of his posthumous designation as recipient of the Medal of
Honor, and to pay tribute to him for his courageous actions; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Staff Sergeant William F. Leonard.

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